Outlook: Koskela had an immediate impact with a hat trick in the Redskins’ first game. Romero always seems to have Port Clinton in the upper tier of the conference. “He trusts us,” Heminger said. “He guides us through formations to know where we should be and when we should be there.” The Redskins have plenty of experience together. Team goals include a conference crown and a postseason run. “I’m excited,” Heminger said. “The senior group, I’ve played with them – and the juniors – we’ve been together since we were kids. We have a lot of chemistry. We’ve always done well together. The goal is to have a memorable season. It’s the seniors’ last chance to play together.”

Outlook: Mabus was first-team all-conference last season. Alt thinks the Comets are ready to make a jump. “Everyone on varsity with the exception of Gugle has been there for three or four years,” Alt said. “It’s about fine-tuning our execution and stepping up the level of detail. They know the routine. They know the expectations. Tactically, they know what to do. It’s about practicing and winning every day. There’s a different intensity level. The closer you get to a goal, the energy picks up. We’re excited. The team has its eyes on a conference championship.”

Outlook: Oak Harbor won its first 15 games last season. “Our record may not be better – we have big shoes to fill and people in new positions – but we’ll play a difficult schedule,” Filar said. “You get better against better teams and we’ll have some games on turf. This team will be stronger in terms of team play. We’re deep and we have a large senior class. We have a large sophomore class. We’re not just building off (success) we’re building onto. They’re dedicated, driven and team-oriented.”

Outlook: Woodmore’s group has plenty of experience together, although freshmen will share the goalkeeping duties. “Watching them (in the preseason), it seems there’s a family-type togetherness,” Pocino said. “They want to help each other out.” The Wildcats will wear special jerseys for the final home game of the season on Oct. 9 in honor of former assistant coach Andy Chavez, a police officer who was murdered in Fremont on March 9. Woodmore’s players have dedicated the season to Chavez, who once played for Pocino for the Wildcats. Chavez’s brother Daniel will an assistant for Pocino this season.

Outlook: Port Clinton enters its fourth season as a varsity program under Romero. “He gets us conditioned and takes the time to teach us,” Baney said. “He’s a good coach.” The Redskins are a young group this season. “We’ll work as a team,” Baney said. “We have to depend on all of us to get the ball up the field and to score. We’ll depend on each other. We’ll have to work hard.” Gulas returns to the team after playing varsity as a sophomore.

Outlook: Erica Lipstraw takes over the program and her sister, Sara, will be an assistant. The Lipstraws were prolific goal scores at Oak Harbor a few years ago. Sheahan was first-team all-conference last season. “We are very excited for this season to get underway,” Erica Lipstraw said. “The girls have been working hard all summer with a new, positive outlook on the program.” Sheahan, Ortiz, Encheff, Dominique and Schwalbe will provide leadership. “They are a passionate group and they love the game,” Lipstraw said. “They have come into this season with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.” Lipstraw’s message will be that if the girls believe in it, they can succeed in it. “The girls have believed in my coaching staff and myself,” she said. “They have learned responsibility, discipline, respect for one another and to never say ‘I can’t.’ These girls are hard workers and they don’t give up. Our main goal is to try to grow this program, and with eight freshmen on the team, I couldn’t see a better starting point to do just that.”

Outlook: While Oak Harbor remains the favorite in the SBC, the Rockets may have a tougher road than a year ago. Junior forward Paige Velliquette is lost for the season due to injury and freshman sensation Emma Barney, named second team all-state last season, did not return to the Rockets this season, opting to play on a club team. Despite the loss of Velliquette and Barney, the Rockets return a great of experience from a team that advanced to the Division III semifinal last year, including all-SBC defender Karia DeWalt and goalkeeper Ivy Martin.

Outlook: The defending Northern Buckeye Conference champions are well-stocked to contend for another league championship. The Wildcats return eight starters from a season ago and boast good depth on the bench as well, including a crop of freshmen coach Jason Allen believes can contribute to the team’s success.